Animal Protection Laws

Korean's Animal Protection Act (under the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) was amended on 29 June 2011. Among the amendments were the following:
1. As of July 2012, animal abusers will face up to one year in prison or a mximum fine of 10 million won. (Until 2012 the penalty is (5 million won).
2. Pet owners will be required to register their pets with their local government in 2013.
3. Municipal administrations will be required to rescue and care for animals abused or intentionally abandoned by owners. The owners will be obliged to pay for their pets' medical treatment costs and other related expenses.

The Wild Animal and Plant Preservation Law of Korea states that any person who unlawfully poaches, collects, destroys, or withers endangered animals shall be sentenced to a maximum of three years and/or forced to pay 20 million won in fines.

Animal Rights advocates say that
1. there has been little enforcement of protection laws and/or owner obligations in the past and wonder if the steeper penalties will make any difference to the situation of animals in Korea if they are not enforced.
2. it is still against the law for someone to remove an abusive pet from its owner.
3. there are no laws or regulations preventing people with a history of animal abuse from pet ownership.
4. dogs intended for consumption are classified more as livestock and therefore are not cover under regulations/laws dealing with the treatment of pets.
5. bear farms (for oriental medicine) continue to operate and while the Bear Farm Administrartion Index was introduced in 2005, it is rarely enforced.

K4E Editor: If any of the information above is incorrect or out-of-date, please send us the correct or updated information at info@korea4expats.com.